Business organizations urged New Yorkers on Friday to avoid angry confrontations with employers and their workers enforcing Gov. Kathy Hochul's new indoor mask rule in public spaces where proof of vaccination is not required. 

The new mandate is set to take effect on Monday in New York and run through Jan. 15. The rule is being put in place as COVID-19 case rates have increased in recent weeks, especially in upstate counties.

“As we have stated in the past regarding similar mandates, we support necessary measures to help stop the spread of COVID," said Heather Briccetti, the president and CEO of The Business Council. "Our hope is people respect the state’s directive and employees of businesses by not putting them in the difficult position of having to enforce the mandate through confrontation.”

Business groups want to avoid another broad shutdown of the economy like at the start of the pandemic in 2020, when public spaces, businesses and schools were closed in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Polling has shown efforts to curtail the pandemic through vaccination requirements and mask rules have been largley popular in New York. 

“While this isn’t an ideal situation, we applaud Governor Hochul for balancing the well-being of New Yorkers and the health of the state’s economy," said Justin Wilcox, the executive director of the pro-business Upstate United. "The last thing that struggling businesses need or want is another shutdown. That would be devastating for employers, employees and the state’s recovery efforts. However, considering all of the other challenges that employers are dealing with right now, we have serious concerns about the safety of employees who will be responsible for enforcing this mask mandate.”

Some county governments, meanwhile, have signaled they will not enforce the coming mask rule among their businesses.

"While the county recognizes that masks can be helpful in stopping the spread of COVID-19, our data continues to suggest that the majority of new cases are coming from the household transmission and not from public places," said Madison County Board Chairman John Becker. "This new mandate is another example of the disconnect that exists between Albany and our upstate counties. We will continue to recommend that residents get vaccinated and wear masks in public places to help protect himself or herself from the virus, but in no way believe it should be mandated. The choice to vaccinate and protect oneself belongs to the individual.”